Restaurant equipment.



3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

Patented July 27, 1915.

D .N du TI, v. NM n LL .9 VTI M .N RHEA. A .M2 DIWWE .ruw 0000.1 .mio RTF. GTNH.. QMAF TDnN YSUO IAI nN-IT ANSA f VME- m L ABW HY A IR WA v M.

` W. H. VARY a. G. B. PARMENTER.

M. VrALY. ADMINISTRATRIX 0F W. H. VARY, DEC'D.

n RESTAURANT' QUIPMENT. APPLlcmoN FILED www4, 1912.

yl Patented July 27, i915.

3 SHEETSSSHEET 2.

W. H`. VARY & G. B. PARMENTER.

M. VARY. Anmlmsnnmx or w. H. VARY, oc'o. RESTAURANT EQUIPMENT.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 24, I9I2- Patented 2? 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

nutren stares rasierer VTILLIAM H. VARY, F OAK PARK, AND GEORGE B. PARMENTER, 0F CHICAGO, TQLLNGES;

MARGARET VARY, ADMINSTRATRIX OFl SAID' WLLIM H. VARY, BECESE'J,

ASSIGNOR TO SAID PARMENTER.

RESTAURANT EQUIPMENT.

inattesi.

Specification of Letters Patentf f lfixind Juif; i?, jgs@ Application ined June 24,1912. seriai'ival'oaaw.

new and useful Improvements in Restauthe conveyer guide rails. spective View of a certain detail of the mechrant Equipments, of which the following is a specification.

rThis invention relates to restaurant equipments with automatic mechanism connected therewith, and has for its object the production of such equi ment to be used in connection with mec anism that relieves the attendants of much of the work ordinarily performed by them, and materially facilitates serving of customers, and that also requires much less space than is ordinarily used in restaurants of the same capacity.

1n the accompanying drawings, I have indicated in Figure 1 a plan view of a portion of a lunch counterl and mechanism connectedtherewith which embody certain features of our invention. F ig. 2 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a partial cross section of the same, and Fig. 4 is a fragmental vertical longitudinal section of a portion of the lunch counter. Fig. 4a is a sectional detail of a combined stop and guide. Fig. 5 is an end view of one of the trays to be used in connection with the mechanism. Fig. 6 is a fragmented view of the bottom or" one of the trays. Figs. 7 and 8 are detail views of the stops and electric contacts used in connection with the trays. Fig. 9 isv a perspective 4ot the stop plug. Fig. 9a is an inner end view of the slot 'for said plug.

Fig. l0 is a plan view of a platform carry? ing theV stops and electric contacts and also Fig. 11 is a peranism.

`1n the use of our invention, a customer takes a seat at one ot the 'lunch counters and indicates his order on a slip of paper. i He then passes the paper into a pneumatic tube and it is deliveredby the' tube to the attendant in the kitchen, or supply room. ri"he attendantflls the order, places the food in a tray: and depositsthe' tray. on' a coni veyer. .The conveyer delivers the tray 4to the customer and, after the customer departs, the attendant in the lunch room places the tray and dishes on a return conotherv side have odd nun'lbers.

tomof each of the trays is a set of slots 2G,

`vcyer and they are delivered again to the supply room. In order to illustrate one manner of carrying out our invention, we show by the drawings a pneumatic tube 10 which may be supported under the shelf 1l I Fig. 3) of a counter' 12in any suitable manner. Vlie have shown herein the tube supported bythe sheet metal wall 13 extending under the y shelf and down the side of the lunch' counter. Near the upper rear edge of the shelf,

and adjacent each oftlieseats 14:, is a lid ljpivoted at 16 tothe shelf. AThis lid covers a passageway 16a opening. into the pneu# matic tube in which the customer may insert his order slip. 'A draitof air is generated in the tube l0 by means of the fan 17, which may be operated by'any suitable means such as an electric motor 1'8. rlhe air draft forces Athe order slip through the tube into the supply room 19 and against the screen 20 at the end of the tube. The order vslip is thentaken from the tube by an attendant through a pivoted door 21. A transparent window 22 in the door enables the attendant to see the paper on its arrivai. The attendant after illingthe orderplaces the dishes i'n one of the covered trays 23. These trays may be lifted. by means of the handles 9.4i (Fig. 5),"andvthe cover may be fastened to the base by means of the hooks 25, or by -any 'other suitable or desired means.

1n order that the tray may be delivered to the proper place atv the lunch counter we have provided the following means: rhe order slip, when it comes to the attendant in the supply room, is numbered according to the 'seat' to which the tray is to be returned. The seats onone side of the counter have even numbers and those on the In the boteach of which .is adapted to receivea stop Aplug 2 7, (see Figs. v5to 8).y

' The inner endpf 'each slot 2G is ui'-shape in cross-section, inforder that the slot may receive and support the flanges 27a ot the stop plug. The Yplug vis insertedirom beneath tl1e 'tra`y and slid toward the leading `.edge of the tray until the shoulders 27,b stop against the end wallet the T-shape portion of the slot 26. v

Adjacent each of the slots 26 is al numeral 28. These trays have even or `odd nuanhers according to the side of ,the counter to'which they are to be delivered. Each of these slots and numerals correspond to one of the seats in the lunch room, and the plug 27 is slipped by the attendant into the slot the' number of which is the same as the number on the order slip. The tray is then placed by the attendant on a conveyer 29.

Each of these conveyers comprises two endless belts 30 passing around pulleys 31 and 37, and they may be operated by means of the motor 18, the worin 32 and the gear wheel 33, or in any other suitable manner.

,throughout the zone of conveyance, whereby the conveyer belts are prevented from sag ging. The trays simply rest upon the belts. Uprising fianges 40 on the edges of the platform prevent displacement ot' the trays as they moye along the conveyer. Feet 4l on the bottom of the tra-ys rest on the belts and elevate the bottom of the trays above the platforms 39.

`Ar stop 42 is attached to each of the platforms 39 opposite each of the seats in the lunch room; and adjacent each stop are contact pieces v43.. Each pair of adjacent stops and Contact pieces forms a pair of electric terminals to which are connected electric wires 44 and 45.. As shown in Fig. 10, each of these pairs of terminals is so positioned as to bein the path of motion of one of the slots1 2G on the bottom of the trays, and hence in line with the plug 27 when it is slipped into one of the slots. And the pa-irs of terminals are so positioned as to be out of the line of motion of each of the other slots; so that when the plug 27 is inserted in one of the slots in its passage along the conveyer it will not be affected by any of the pairs of terminals except the one lying in its path of motion. The plug, however, will come in Contact with this pair of terminals as it will pass between the contact pieces 43 and will strike against the stop 42 and thus bring the tray to rest. So that if the plug has been placed in the slot, the number of which corresponds to the number on the order, the tray will be stopped in front of the customer who madeout the order. As the tray merely rests on the belts of the conveyer with no positive connection therewith, the stopping of the tray will in no way interfere with the conveyer; the belts will continue uninterrupted, and the tray will slip on the belts.

As indicated'inthe drawings, the tray, when on the serving conveyer, is located benormally cover the openings 48 immediately above the positions where the portable trays are stopped. Any suitable means may be used tending to pull the curtains downward and across the openings 48. In this instance we have arranged the curtains so that the weight of each tends to pull it down until its lower edge rests against the beam '49. llach curtain, however, is maintained in its upward or closed positions by means of a cam lever 50, pivoted to the framework at 51, and having the end 52 of one of the apus of the lever projecting under the edge o the curtain. Y

.When a tray is stopped before a customer in the manner described, the connection of the terminals 42 and 43 closes an electric circuit, including the wires 44 and 45, the solenoid 53 and the binding posts 54. A battery 54a or any other suitable source of current supply may be connected in the circuit to Athe terminals 54. The solenoid thus afiected by the electric current operates a valve which admits compressed air or other suitable Huid under pressure from some suitable source of supply into the lower end of the cylinder 56 through the pipe 57, and this, acting on a piston within the cylinder 56, forces upward the frame 58, which is immediately under the tray 23, and elevates the tray. As the'conveyer consists merely ofthe two belts, the elevator merely rises between the belts and in no way interferes with their continued passage.

As the frame rises, a roller 59 pivoted to a portion of the frame, acts on the cam arm 60 of the lever 50, and thus pushes inward the arm 52 of the lever and releases the curtain 47. The curtain then sinks downward out of the way of the rising tray'by virtue of its own weight until its lower edge rests on the beam 49. When the tray reaches the desired height a contact piece 61 connects the two electric terminals 62 and thus closes an electric circuit through the solenoid 63. This solenoid then closes the valve 55 and opens theexhaust port in the valve; and the frame 58 and the piston in the cylinder 56, by virtue of their weight, .force theair out of the cylinder through the pipe 65 and out of the exhaust port in the valve 55. The frame thus sinks until it is again in its normal position. The tray, however, is prevented from sinking by means of the stops 64, `(one of which is shown 1n perspective 1n Fig. ll) pivoted to the framework at 66.

.Torsion springs 67 hold the stops normally niemeer Y f framework and extending through slots in the stops prevent the stops from being pushed downward by the tray. lThe portions Gd of the stops 6d constitute guides serving to-move the tray into exact location in one horizontal direction, While y the Wings Gib guide the tray into exact location in the 0pvposite horizontal direction.

The means which We have provided herein for supplying duid under pressure to the cylinder valve 55 coinprises'a compression tank G9 into 'which is pumped compressed air through the pipes T0 hy means of the pump 7l operated hy the motor 1S.

Pipes V72 convey the compressed air along the counters of the lunch room, and pipes i3 convey. the air Jr'rom the main pipe 72 to the individual valve 55.

Between each lunch counter, and higher than the serving conveyers, is a return conveyer 7a. This conveyer is operated in a. manner similar to the other conveyers, hut is adapted to return the trays with the dishes to the kitchen. A framework 75 forms 1 runu'a y through which the co veyer 74 passes so that the used dishes may not-loe in view. in this runway opposite each seat is a lid 7G having` a handle 77 and hinged at 78,

'ny a rod attached to the framework. When the patron has finished eatingthe attendant raises the adjacent lid 76 and pushes the tray into the opening' thus formed onto the return conveyor, and the tray is transported to the kitchen. At the same time the attendant raises the curtain 4:7 to its normal position.

it Will thus lie-seen that' We have by our invention provided mechanism Which may he used in connection with restaurants propT erly constructed whereby the order of the patron may be instantly conveyed to the supply room, lthe food ordered may he placed 4on a conveyor in the supply room and quickly delivered to the patron; and the used dishes may loe returned out of view of the patrons. So that a large number of pa.- trons may oe expeditiously served in a. quiet and inconspicuous manner, and so that much room ordinarily required for the use of attendants, and for storingr food and dishes inV the restaurant may he dispensed with. 'lheus'e of the special form of conveyer and the manner or" placingr trays thereon allows the trays to be stopped and elevated With-` understood that modifications therein may loe made hy those skilled in the art Without departing from the scope of the invention.

W e claim as our invention l. The combination of a counter; a conveyer adapted to transport trays from an adjacent supply room along said counter; means for stopping said traysat predetermined places; ,elevators for elevating said trays at such places; and electric circuits cdntaining means for actuating said eleva.- torsJ` said circuits being controlled by said trays.

The combination of a counter; mechanism adapted to convey trays from a remote space along .said counter; means for stopping said trays at predetermined places; means for elevating` said trays insaid places; land means for supporting said trays in elcvated position indegyiendent of said elevating means. f 1

The combination of counter; a conveyer adapted to, transport trays along` said counter; and elevating` means adapted to elevate trays from said conveyor', said means being set in operation hy electric solenoids.

d. The 'combination or' a counter; a conveyer adapted to convey trays along said counter; and elevating means adapted to elevate trays from said counter, said means comprising' pneumatic tubes,l the valves of said tubes adaptedto be operated by solenoids actuated hy said trays. l

5. The combination of a lunch counter; a conveyer running along .said counter; elevators beneath said conveyor, and adapted to raise objects from said conveyer; pneumatic cylinders operatively connected to said elevators; pipes connecting each of said cyl.-r inders With'a source ci' compressed gas; a valve in each ci said pipes; a solenoid operatively connected with each of said valves; and means for sendingI an electric current through each or said. solenoids. l

(5. The combination oi' a counter; a plurality of trays; a conveyer adapted to convey `said trays 'from a distant point along` said counter; and means for stopping` said trays at predetermined places adjacent said counter, said means comprising a series oi' slots in the bottom of each of said trays, a stop plug adapted to be inserted in anyl one oi' said slots;` a second stopv opposite each of said places, each of said second stops lying inthe path of motion ofone of said lslots in any one ot' said trays moving on said conveyor, lsaid stop plug and said projecting stop adapted to come in contact and close an electric circuit, and elevating' means actu` ated by said circuit vadapted to elevate said trays.

7. The combination or ltwo adjacent counters; a conveyer adapted to convey trays froina distant point along each or said counters: means connected with each of said `means tending to remove each conveyors adapted to stop trays thereon at predetermined places; and a third conveyerbetween said counters and adapted to convey trays from any one of said predetermined places to said distant point.

8. The combination of a counter, said counter having a plurality of openings therethrough; a conveyer adapted to deliver trays from a distant point to any one Aof said openings; an elevator adapted to elevate said trays through each of said openings; ra curtain normally covering each of said openings; and means adapted to be set in motion by said elevator for removing said curtain.

9. T he combination.- of a counter, said counter having a plurality of openings therethrough; a conveyer adapted to deliver trays from a distant point to any one of said openings; an elevator adapted to elevate said trays through each of said openings; a curtain normally locked in position to cover each f said openings, said curtain tending to be forced open by the action of gravity; and means connected with each ot'said elevators for releasing the corresponding curtain.

10. The combination of a counter, said counter having a plurality of openings therethrough; a curtain normally locked in position to cover each of said openings;

of said curtains from its corresponding opening; a conveyer'adapted to deliver trays to any one of said openings; means for elevating said trays through said openings; and means operated by said elevating means for releasing said curtain.

11. The combination of a counter; said counter. having a plurality of openings therethrough a curtain normally covering each of said openings; means tending to remove each of said curtains; a plurality of cam levers, one end of each of said levers positioned under the edge of one of said curtains, whereby said curtain is held in closed position; means for elevating saidA trays through said openings; and a member attached to each of said elevators adapted to act on the cam of the corres ending leveu and force the saidlever endp from under said curtain.

12. The combination of a counter; a conveyer adapted to convey trays from a distant point along said counter, said conveyer comprising two endless belts and a platform, said platform adapted to support said belts; trays adapted to be conveyed on said belts;

,means for stopping said trays at predetermined places, said platform having slots therein; and an elevator positioned at each of said places, said elevator comprising a framework adapted to pass through said slots between said belts and to elevate said trays.

13. The combination of a conveyer adapted to transport trays, means for stopping said trays at predetermined places, and electric means operated by said trays for elevating said trays at such places.

14. The combination of mechanism for conveying trays, means for stopping said trays at predetermined places, means for elevating -said trays in said places, means for supporting said trays in elevated position, and additional 4means for returning said trays to their original position.

15. The combination of a conveyer adapted to convey trays, means for stopping said trays at a predetermined place,`sa1d means comprising a stoep fixed to said tray and a second stop fixed at said place inthe path of motion of said first stop, said stops adapted to come in Contact and close an electric circuit, and elevating means actuated by said circuit adapted to elevate said trays.

16. The combination of tray conveying means, tray stopping means and tray elevating means; said elevating 'means comprising pneumatic cylinders, a pipe connected to each of said cylinders adapted to be connected to a: source of'supply of compressed air, a valve in said pipe, and a solenoid adapted to be operated by an electric cur-' rent, and to open said valve, said electric lcircuit being closed by said tray stopping means. v

17.l The combination of tray conveying means, 'tray stopping means and tray elevating means, said conveying means comprising two endless belts and a platform, said platform having slots therein and being adapted to support said belts, `and said elevator comprising a framework adaptedv to pass through belts and to 105 said slots between sa-ic elevate said trays.

18. The combination of a tray conveyer,

a fluid-pressure operated elevator adapted to lift a tray from saidconveyer, means to supply Huid pressure to said elevator to opllO erate the same, and means traveling with the conveyer to control said supply.

19. The combination of a tray conveyer, a plurality of fluid-pressure operated elevators adapted to lift trays from said conveyer, and selective means carried by the trays to govern the admission of fluid pressure to said elevators respectively, whereby a desired elevator is operated.

In testimony'n-'hereof -We aiiix our signa- 120 tures in the presence of two witnesses.

WILLAM H. VARY. GEORGE B. PARMENTER.

Vitnesses E. Y. Houben, H. Gr. Holzman. 

